BEIJING - The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), or China's top legislature, on Wednesday reviewed a bill raised by the State Council to ratify the Third Protocol Amending the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai was entrusted by the State Council to brief the NPC Standing Committee on the basic information of the protocol.

"The protocol does not contradict the laws of China. It is in accordance with China's foreign policy and national interests to ratify the amendment," said Cui.

"Ratifying the protocol will help exhibit China's political support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and boost ties between China and the European Union," Cui said.

The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia was signed in February 1976. It was one of the basic political documents of the ASEAN.

The amendment is the third to be made to the treaty to pave the way for the European Union officially becoming a party to the treaty.

The NPC Standing Committee approved China's joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and its two previous amending protocols in 2003.

As of August 9, nine countries, including Singapore, France and Malaysia, have ratified the third amending protocol.

In accordance with related provisions of the basic laws of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region, the Third Protocol Amending the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia should also apply to Hong Kong and Macao, Cui said.